Agile Mentors Podcast

Get ready for a special Thanksgiving episode where Brian Milner shares what he’s most grateful for this year and why a little reflection on gratitude can go a long way. It’s time to embrace the positives and celebrate the connections that keep us growing.

In this special Thanksgiving episode, Brian Milner takes a heartfelt pause to reflect on gratitude, expressing thanks for his listeners, cherished friendships, and the fresh ideas that continue to shape his Agile journey. He invites everyone to join him in acknowledging the positive aspects of their lives and to practice gratitude, especially during difficult times.

Subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast

This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input.

Brian Milner is SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He's passionate about making a difference in people's day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work.

Brian (00:00)

But I do want to just kind of focus in a little bit on that concept of being thankful because I do think it's important for us to try to understand and be thankful for the things that we have in our life that maybe we don't always take time to kind of recognize. And this year has been a very kind of challenging years in some ways for our industry, for the profession, but it's also been exciting in some ways as well.

And rather than dwelling on just things that would be kind of hypercritical or negative, I think it's important for us to maybe focus in on some of those positive things. So I'll just give you a quick hit list here of things that I, I just wanted to think about about three specific things that I thought were things that I am extremely thankful for this year at this point in my life. and in my interactions with people.

The first and foremost, I'm not saving the best for last, I'm doing the best first. That's you, the listeners of this podcast. I can't thank you enough for tuning in and listening. You put out a podcast like this, you have no idea. It's kind of like you're shouting into the void. And you have no idea who is listening and who is not listening, what their desires are, what they want from you. That's why I beg you all the time for feedback, because I just want to know how it can be better for you.

I just want to know how I can make this a better use of your time. But I've had the pleasure this year of getting to go to several conferences and going to those conferences is always my chance to kind of talk to face to face some of the people who listen to this podcast. And it is such a thrill. it, just excites me to no end when I'm at those conferences and someone comes up to me and says, Hey, I listened to the podcast. I really liked the stuff you put out there on that. And it really makes an impact for me. Or, you know, I'll hear someone come up and say, Hey, I just found it. I started listening from episode one. I'm now on episode 10 and, it's all been really, really impactful. And I just really appreciate, what you're doing there. So I, I just want to say a huge thanks to you. I mean, we couldn't keep doing this if we didn't have listeners. So I just, I really appreciate you. I appreciate that you're on this journey with me.

We're kind of both learning together as we go through this because every episode I learn something from these guests that come through. And I know that you are as well. You're learning things as we go through these topics. So I just want to thank you for being along the ride with me. And especially thank you for those who have come up and introduced yourself and said hello to me over this past year. Really, really appreciate getting to meet you and learn a little bit more about you, about the things that you want and the things that you need. So thank you for being listeners. Thank you for being, for the people who send feedback and email us over our podcast at mountaingoatsoftware.com address. I really, really appreciate you. because we wouldn't be here without you.

Another thing I thought I was really, really thankful for this year, the kind of in line with that is just new friends. We do a lot of this stuff, or least I should say, I do a lot of this stuff as a trainer out of my home office and spend several days with people in classes. And I make a lot of new friends through those classes just from people that I connect with and people who stay in contact with me. So I'm highly appreciative of those people that are kind of still on my radar and people that have come through classes with me and have stayed connected with me. But I'm appreciative of the people that I've gotten to spend some quality time with at the different conferences I've been at this year.

There's been several conversations that I've had with people that have been so impactful to me, just really, really personal, sometimes emotional conversations I've had with individuals. And it just reminds you that it's human beings that are at the core of this, It's people. getting to know and understand people, I think, one of the joys of getting to do this kind of work. That you get to meet new people and get to hear their stories and learn how they see the world. So I'm really thankful for the new friends that have come into my life. through the course of the last year. And then I'm really thankful for new ideas.

The guests that have come through here have, you know, many of them have kind of given me new ways of seeing things, kind of seeing things through a new lens that has challenged me. And I'm always really grateful. when an assumption or an opinion I have is challenged, I don't think of that as being kind of an aggressive thing towards me. I think of it as, well, that's kind of pushing my boundaries a little bit. I thought that I knew and understood this in this way, but now someone's challenged me to look at this from a different perspective. I look at this from a different viewpoint. And I am just enormously thankful that as I've... grown in this profession as I've been doing this now for, gosh, I've been a software developer maybe 25 years now, I'm that old. But given that, there are still plenty of concepts and ideas that they're never ending.

There's never an end to the things that would challenge my assumptions or my beliefs about things and get me to really re-examine them. That doesn't mean I'm going to change all of them. But I tell people who come through the class, I don't have any problem with you challenging an idea. The idea isn't me. The idea is an idea. And I change ideas all the time. If I get presented with better information, if there's new data that comes out that says, hey, know that way we've been thinking about this, that's actually wrong, I embrace that. I welcome that. Because it's the reality. Right?

And I don't want to continue down the road that's false. So I just really, really appreciate that idea that these ideas are not stale. These aren't ideas, aren't things that would just go by the wayside. These are things that constantly challenge us and get us to look at things in a new light. This isn't an awards acceptance speech, so I'm not going to go through the list of specific people.

There's lots of people that I would thank and they know who they are. There's lots of people who work really hard for this podcast to work. And people like Mike Cohn who have mentored me and helped me to understand things that I would never have if I had not come in contact with them. So just really, really am thankful for all of those things.

And I encourage you, it may sound like a silly thing, But take five minutes, take 10 minutes and just sit down with a blank piece of paper and just write out, if you were gonna make your top 10, right? What are the top 10 things that this year that you're thankful for, right? You don't have to go through, you know, just the stereotypical things that you might put down, but you know, if you were to think back over the past year, what would be the things that you are most thankful for over the past year?

And as I said, I know it's been a hard year for a lot of people. But I think that when we are able to stop and do that and really understand, hey, here are the things that really have gone well. Here are the things I'm really thankful that I encountered or that happened to me in this last year. It really can have a dramatic impact on your outlook and how you see things and really what you look for moving forward, what you focus on moving forward.

So I just encourage you, it's a week for that. It's a time when we do that here in the US especially, but if you're somewhere international and maybe you have a Thanksgiving on a different part of the year or a different day, or maybe you don't have one in your country, I encourage you to just take time out to do it. I think you'll appreciate it. I think it'll make an impact for you. So that's really all I got for you today.

As I said, short little message, kind of traditional for us to do a little brief little Thanksgiving message here. again, I just want to thank you. Thank you for tuning in. Thank you for being with me on this journey, especially this past year.

And I'm excited. I can't wait to see where we go from this point forward. Who knows, right? We might do changes. We might try some new things. All kind of depends on what you guys want to see in here. So thank you so much for where we've come so far. And we'll call it. So. We won't do any of typical outro stuff I normally do, but you know what I normally say. So just kind of think that in your head.

Thanks, everybody. I really appreciate you listening to this special message. And next week, we'll be back with just a regular episode. You're going to really enjoy it. So talk to you next time on another episode of the Agile Mentors Podcast.

Curious if your product team is caught in common traps that limit success? Join Brian and David Pereira as they explore how to simplify workflows, make smarter bets with prioritization, and shift from output-driven thinking to delivering real value.

In this episode of the Agile Mentors Podcast, host Brian Milner chats with David Pereira, author of Untrapping Product Teams. Together, they dive into the common traps product teams face, the differences between project and product management, and practical strategies for prioritization.

David shares insights from his book, offering advice on building healthier backlogs, creating adaptable roadmaps, and moving beyond a feature-obsessed mindset to focus on delivering true value.

David Pereira

This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input. 

Brian Milner is SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He's passionate about making a difference in people's day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work.

David Pereira is a seasoned Product Leader with over 15 years of experience guiding Agile teams to deliver real value faster. As CEO of omoqo GmbH and a top writer on product management, David is passionate about helping teams overcome challenges, unlock their potential, and simplify their workflows to drive meaningful outcomes.

Brian (00:00)

David Pereira (00:12)

Brian (00:14)

David Pereira (00:42)

Brian (00:43)

David Pereira (01:12)

Brian (01:23)

David Pereira (02:01)

Brian (02:38)

David Pereira (03:24)

Brian (04:12)

David Pereira (04:23)

Brian (04:56)

David Pereira (05:24)

Brian (06:13)

David Pereira (06:45)

Brian (07:35)

David Pereira (08:31)

Brian (11:18)

David Pereira (14:44)

Brian (17:25)

David Pereira (18:01)

Brian (18:41)

David Pereira (19:19)

Brian (19:56)

David Pereira (20:12)

Brian (20:23)

David Pereira (20:34)

Brian (22:10)

David Pereira (22:57)

Brian (24:17)

David Pereira (25:53)

Brian (26:29)

David Pereira (27:59)

What makes a team intelligent? Brian and Linda Rising explore the surprising factors that foster group intelligence, from psychological safety to diversity, backed by groundbreaking research from MIT and Google.

In this episode of the Agile Mentors Podcast, Brian Milner sits down with Agile thought leader Linda Rising to explore the concept of group intelligence. They dive into what makes teams intelligent, discussing the importance of diversity, psychological safety, and social perceptiveness.

Using research from MIT and Google, Linda also highlights how storytelling and a growth mindset can enhance team dynamics, leading to more effective and innovative collaboration.

Linda Rising

This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input.

Brian Milner is SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He's passionate about making a difference in people's day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work.

Linda Rising is an internationally recognized consultant, speaker, and author with a Ph.D. in object-based design metrics. Known for her expertise in agile development, retrospectives, and the intersection of neuroscience and software, Linda has authored five books and numerous articles. In 2020, she received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the World Agility Forum for her impactful contributions to the industry.

Brian (00:00)

Linda Rising (00:09)

Brian (00:32)

Linda Rising (00:33)

Brian (00:58)

Linda Rising (01:43)

Brian (02:09)

Linda Rising (02:20)

Brian (03:41)

Linda Rising (03:53)

Brian (04:25)

Linda Rising (04:28)

Brian (04:47)

Linda Rising (05:06)

Brian (05:17)

Linda Rising (05:32)

Brian (06:03)

Linda Rising (06:13)

Brian (06:43)

Linda Rising (06:46)

Brian (07:53)

Linda Rising (08:03)

Brian (09:38)

Linda Rising (09:39)

Brian (10:05)

Linda Rising (10:23)

Brian (10:26)

Linda Rising (10:52)

Brian (11:24)

Linda Rising (11:49)

Brian (12:00)

Linda Rising (12:17)

Brian (12:34)

Linda Rising (12:35)

Brian (12:38)

Linda Rising (12:58)

Brian (13:17)

Linda Rising (13:22)

Brian (15:06)

Linda Rising (16:02)

Brian (16:04)

Linda Rising (16:18)

Brian (16:34)

Linda Rising (16:43)

Brian (17:54)

Rising (18:10)

Brian (19:37)

Linda Rising (19:37)

Brian (19:39)

Linda Rising (20:05)

Brian (20:20)

Linda Rising (20:23)

Brian (20:43)

Linda Rising (20:56)

Brian (21:38)

Linda Rising (21:40)

Brian (21:44)

Linda Rising (21:52)

Brian (22:12)

Linda Rising (22:15)

Brian (24:41)

Linda Rising (24:41)

Brian (24:48)

Linda Rising (25:07)

Brian (25:44)

Linda Rising (25:59)

Brian (26:07)

Linda Rising (26:14)

Brian (27:26)

Linda Rising (27:28)

Brian (28:22)

Linda Rising (28:40)

Brian (28:54)

Linda Rising (29:08)

Brian (29:16)

Linda Rising (29:18)

Brian (29:48)

Linda Rising (29:53)

Brian (30:33)

Linda Rising (31:40)

Brian (32:32)

Linda Rising (32:35)

Brian (34:43)

Linda Rising (34:48)

Brian (34:58)

Linda Rising (35:18)

Brian (35:48)

Linda Rising (36:11)

Brian (36:26)

Linda Rising (36:28)

Brian (37:50)

Linda Rising (37:52)

Brian (38:03)

Linda Rising (38:09)

Brian (38:32)

Linda Rising (38:53)

Brian (39:57)

Linda Rising (40:11)

Brian (40:27)

Linda Rising (40:41)

Brian (41:11)

Join us as we explore how Agile in Color is breaking down barriers in the Agile community and empowering people of color through mentorship, support, and leadership. Learn how you can be an ally and foster a more inclusive environment in your own Agile journey.

In this episode of the Agile Mentors Podcast, Brian Milner is joined by Nosa Oyegun and Luria Lindauer from Agile in Color to discuss the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion within the Agile community.

They dive into the mission of Agile in Color, barriers to entry and success for people of color in Agile, and the role of allies in fostering a more inclusive industry. The conversation also highlights the power of mentorship, vulnerability, and community support to drive meaningful change in organizations.

The episode concludes with a call to action for listeners to engage with Agile in Color and contribute to the movement for a more diverse Agile community.

Nosa Oyegun

This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input.

Brian Milner is SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He's passionate about making a difference in people's day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work.

Nosa Oyegun has over 15 years of experience, and is a seasoned Agile Coach passionate about empowering cross-functional teams, removing impediments, and championing customer-centric solutions. Skilled in Agile frameworks like Scrum and Kanban, she focuses on fostering collaboration, driving value delivery, and nurturing growth for individuals, teams, and executives.

Louria Lindauer is a dynamic enterprise strategist and coach with over 25 years of experience, known for transforming complex challenges into clear, actionable solutions. Certified in DEI strategy, Agility, and Emotional Intelligence Leadership, she helps leaders build vision, empathy, and bold organizational cultures where courageous truth and sustainable change thrive.

Brian (00:00)

Nosa Oyegun (00:27)

Louria Lindauer (00:30)

Brian (00:30)

Nosa Oyegun (00:37)

Louria Lindauer (00:38)

Brian (00:56)

Nosa Oyegun (01:24)

Brian (02:15)

Louria Lindauer (02:48)

Brian (03:14)

Louria Lindauer (03:18)

Brian (04:47)

Louria Lindauer (05:15)

Brian (05:40)

Nosa Oyegun (05:43)

Brian (06:23)

Louria Lindauer (06:23)

Brian (07:13)

Nosa Oyegun (08:47)

Brian (09:01)

Louria Lindauer (09:08)

Brian (09:30)

Nosa Oyegun (09:32)

Louria Lindauer (09:55)

Nosa Oyegun (10:07)

Louria Lindauer (10:24)

Brian (10:56)

Louria Lindauer (11:23)

Nosa Oyegun (11:34)

Louria Lindauer (11:53)

Nosa Oyegun (12:21)

Brian (12:23)

Louria Lindauer (12:49)

Nosa Oyegun (12:58)

Brian (13:13)

Nosa Oyegun (13:52)

Brian (15:16)

Nosa Oyegun (15:34)

Louria Lindauer (15:40)

Nosa Oyegun (16:02)

Louria Lindauer (16:41)

Nosa Oyegun (16:47)

Louria Lindauer (16:54)

Nosa Oyegun (17:52)

Louria Lindauer (18:07)

Nosa Oyegun (18:56)

Brian (18:58)

Nosa Oyegun (19:24)

Brian (19:39)

Nosa Oyegun (19:53)

Brian (20:09)

Nosa Oyegun (20:22)

Brian (20:38)

Louria Lindauer (22:05)

Brian (22:29)

Louria Lindauer (22:43)

Nosa Oyegun (23:44)

Louria Lindauer (24:09)

Nosa Oyegun (24:15)

Louria Lindauer (24:34)

Brian (25:00)

Nosa Oyegun (25:01)

Brian (25:30)

Louria Lindauer (25:36)

Brian (25:38)

Louria Lindauer (25:42)

Brian (25:44)

Nosa Oyegun (25:57)

Brian (26:00)

Louria Lindauer (26:01)

Brian (26:24)

Nosa Oyegun (26:26)

Louria Lindauer (28:26)

Nosa Oyegun (29:17)

Brian (29:19)

Louria Lindauer (29:20)

Brian (30:10)

Louria Lindauer (30:17)

Nosa Oyegun (30:34)

Louria Lindauer (30:47)

Nosa Oyegun (31:05)

Brian (31:08)

Nosa Oyegun (31:36)

Brian (31:36)

Nosa Oyegun (32:00)

Louria Lindauer (32:01)

Nosa Oyegun (33:14)

Louria Lindauer (33:28)

Nosa Oyegun (33:36)

Louria Lindauer (33:52)

Brian (34:04)

Nosa Oyegun (34:57)

Louria Lindauer (34:58)

Brian (35:10)

Louria Lindauer (35:10)

Can Agile tools really teach you Agile practices, or are they just supporting players? Join Brian and Steve Spearman as they unpack the myths surrounding tools like Jira and discover why the process should always come before the tool.

In this episode of the Agile Mentors Podcast, Brian Milner and Steve Spearman debunk common myths about Agile tools, with a special focus on Jira. They stress that tools are not a replacement for Agile principles, and the process should guide the choice of tools, not the reverse.

The conversation dives into how Agile tools can enhance transparency, why communication is key to effective Agile practices, and the importance of adapting tools to fit unique team workflows.

Steve Spearman

This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input.

Brian Milner is SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He's passionate about making a difference in people's day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work.

Steve Spearman is a Certified Scrum Trainer® and Agile coach, passionate about helping teams thrive, drive business improvements, and master the art of managing change. With expertise in Agile training, scaled Agile, and leadership, Steve empowers organizations to navigate their Agile journeys smoothly and effectively.

Brian (00:00)

Steve (00:14)

Brian (00:17)

Steve (01:16)

Brian (02:06)

Steve (02:24)

Brian (02:36)

Steve (03:17)

Brian (03:47)

Steve (04:12)

Brian (04:15)

Steve (04:35)

Brian (04:57)

Steve (05:04)

Brian (05:09)

Steve (06:11)

Brian (06:55)

Steve (07:09)

Brian (07:22)

Steve (08:05)

Brian (08:23)

Steve (08:32)

Brian (08:41)

Steve (08:52)

Brian (08:57)

Steve (09:19)

Brian (09:43)

Steve (09:45)

Brian (10:02)

Steve (10:23)

Brian (11:16)

Steve (12:33)

Brian (13:49)

Steve (15:13)

Brian (15:54)

Steve (16:24)

Brian (17:54)

Steve (19:03)

Brian (19:50)

Steve (21:11)

Brian (21:17)

Steve (21:37)

Brian (21:48)

Steve (22:05)

Brian (22:24)

Steve (23:12)

Brian (23:18)

Steve (23:41)

Brian (24:26)

Steve (24:33)

Brian (26:00)

Steve (27:43)

Brian (29:06)

Steve (29:29)

Brian (29:38)

Steve (29:53)

Brian (29:57)

Steve (31:21)

Brian (32:55)

Steve (33:42)

Brian (34:21)

Steve (34:43)

Brian (34:51)

Steve (35:10)

Brian (35:40)

Steve (36:04)

How does Agile fit into the fast-paced, high-stakes world of game development? Clinton Keith, author of Agile Game Development, spills the secrets from his time working with some of the top studios in the industry and explains why adapting Agile to gaming is both a challenge and a game-changer.

In this episode of the Agile Mentors Podcast, Brian Milner and Clinton Keith dive into the unique dynamics of Agile in the gaming industry. Clinton shares stories from his decades-long career in game development, explaining how Agile methodologies have evolved in the industry and why traditional approaches often fail.

They discuss the impact of deadlines, the influence of digital distribution, and how finding the "fun" in games is crucial for successful development. Clinton also provides valuable insights into modifying Agile practices to better fit the gaming world and the critical role leadership plays in fostering a productive Agile culture.

Clinton Keith

This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input.

Brian Milner is SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He's passionate about making a difference in people's day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work.

Clinton Keith is a seasoned game industry veteran turned Agile coach and author of Agile Game Development, 2nd Edition. With 25 years of experience as a programmer, CTO, and production director, Clinton now helps creative teams and studio leaders build better games through effective Scrum, Lean, and Kanban.

Brian (00:00)

Clinton Keith (00:17)

Brian (00:23)

Clinton Keith (00:25)

Brian (00:27)

Clinton Keith (01:37)

Brian (02:54)

Clinton Keith (03:36)

Brian (04:11)

Clinton Keith (04:30)

Brian (06:06)

Clinton Keith (06:46)

Brian (08:53)

Clinton Keith (10:03)

Brian (10:25)

Clinton Keith (10:32)

Brian (12:07)

Clinton Keith (12:44)

Brian (14:47)

Clinton Keith (15:02)

Brian (15:53)

Clinton Keith (15:56)

Brian (16:11)

Clinton Keith (16:24)

Brian (16:40)

Clinton Keith (16:49)

Brian (16:59)

Clinton Keith (17:44)

Brian (20:32)

Clinton Keith (21:18)

Brian (22:06)

Clinton Keith (22:13)

Brian (22:45)

Clinton Keith (23:12)

Brian (23:41)

Clinton Keith (24:56)

Brian (26:10)

Clinton Keith (26:21)

Brian (26:46)

Clinton Keith (26:49)

Brian (26:55)

Clinton Keith (27:19)

Brian (27:49)

Clinton Keith (28:15)

Brian (28:35)

Clinton Keith (29:09)

Brian (29:22)

Clinton Keith (29:47)

Brian (30:14)

Clinton Keith (30:38)

Brian (30:41)

Clinton Keith (31:02)

In this episode of the Agile Mentors Podcast, Brian Milner chats with Murman about the value of attending Agile conferences, the importance of networking, and the impact of volunteering in the Agile community. They share personal stories, advice on making the most of conference experiences, and insights into how volunteering can open up new opportunities for personal and professional growth.

Brian Milner and Chris Murman dive into the world of Agile conferences, focusing on the upcoming Agile 2025 event and the benefits of attending. They discuss the evolving purpose of conferences, why networking and volunteering are crucial, and how approaching conferences with an open mind can lead to unexpected learning and connections.

Chris also shares his journey from attendee to conference chair, providing a behind-the-scenes look at what goes into creating a memorable conference experience. Whether you're a conference regular or considering attending your first one, this episode offers valuable perspectives on getting the most out of these unique events.

Agile 2025

This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input.

Brian Milner is SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He's passionate about making a difference in people's day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work.

Chris Murman is the Agile 2025 Conference Chair with over 15 years of experience in product management and leadership, He has directed successful launches for top brands like Verizon, NBC Universal, and Chick-fil-A. As the Executive Director of Product at JP Morgan Chase, and leads 20 cross-functional teams, driving innovative financial solutions and spearheading AI/ML initiatives that save over 6,000 man-hours per quarter.

Brian (00:00)

Chris (00:11)

Brian (00:12)

Chris (00:19)

Brian (00:40)

Chris (01:54)

Brian (04:18)

Chris (04:34)

Brian (05:34)

Chris (06:22)

Brian (06:25)

Chris (06:55)

Brian (07:27)

Chris (07:53)

Brian (08:39)

Chris (08:59)

Brian (09:28)

Chris (09:55)

Brian (10:23)

Chris (12:41)

Brian (13:11)

Chris (13:35)

Brian (13:35)

Chris (14:03)

Brian (14:09)

Chris (14:22)

Brian (14:45)

Chris (14:48)

Brian (15:21)

Chris (15:41)

Brian (16:01)

Chris (16:41)

Brian (16:57)

Chris (17:11)

Brian (17:20)

Chris (17:37)

Brian (17:41)

Chris (17:59)

Brian (18:47)

Chris (18:56)

Brian (19:23)

Chris (19:26)

Brian (20:00)

Chris (21:12)

Brian (21:22)

Chris (21:32)

Brian (21:41)

Chris (21:50)

Brian (24:00)

Chris (24:25)

Brian (24:32)

Chris (26:33)

Brian (27:16)

Chris (27:26)

Brian (27:46)

Chris (27:49)

Brian (28:26)

Chris (28:41)

Brian (29:16)

Chris (29:35)

Brian (30:04)

Chris (30:05)

Brian (30:21)

Chris (31:21)

Brian (32:02)

Chris (32:16)

Brian (33:22)

Chris (33:54)

Brian (34:29)

Chris (34:56)

In this episode of the Agile Mentors Podcast, Brian Milner and Mike Cohn reveal the keys to achieving lasting success with Agile methodologies. From embracing experimentation and fostering a culture of continuous improvement to improving communication with consistent vocabulary, they offer practical, relatable insights for Agile practitioners at all levels.

Brian and Mike discuss the essential ingredients to Agile success, touching on the power of experimentation, the need for flexible coaching, and building a culture of continuous improvement.

The conversation dives deep into the importance of effective communication within teams, especially through user stories and consistent vocabulary, ensuring that Agile teams stay aligned. With personal anecdotes and actionable tips, this episode provides a roadmap for anyone looking to excel with Agile.

Mike Cohn

This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input.

Brian Milner is SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He's passionate about making a difference in people's day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work.

Mike Cohn, CEO of Mountain Goat Software, is a passionate advocate for agile methodologies. Co-founder of Agile Alliance and Scrum Alliance, he thrives on helping companies succeed with Agile and witnessing its transformative impact on individuals' careers. Mike resides in Northern Idaho with his family, two Havanese dogs, and an impressive hot sauce collection.

Brian (00:00)

Mike (00:12)

Brian (00:15)

Mike (00:37)

Brian (00:41)

Mike (01:10)

Brian (01:52)

Mike (01:59)

Brian (02:19)

Mike (02:56)

Brian (04:14)

Mike (04:20)

Brian (04:34)

Mike (05:07)

Brian (05:17)

Mike (05:35)

Brian (05:46)

Mike (06:12)

Brian (06:17)

Mike (07:18)

Brian (07:44)

Mike (08:25)

Brian (09:32)

Mike (09:48)

Brian (09:59)

Mike (10:20)

Brian (11:29)

Mike (11:36)

Brian (12:49)

Mike (13:14)

Brian (13:18)

Mike (13:24)

Brian (14:11)

Mike (14:25)

Brian (15:15)

Mike (15:17)

Brian (15:22)

Mike (15:32)

Brian (15:37)

Mike (17:26)

Brian (17:32)

Mike (17:59)

Brian (18:01)

Mike (18:27)

Brian (18:54)

Mike (18:59)

Brian (19:28)

Mike (19:41)

Brian (21:06)

Mike (21:10)

Brian (22:17)

Mike (22:37)

Brian (23:08)

Mike (23:37)

Brian (23:39)

Mike (24:07)

Brian (24:10)

Mike (24:33)

Brian (25:25)

Mike (25:58)

Brian (27:24)

Mike (28:02)

Brian (28:19)

Mike (28:24)

Brian (28:47)

Mike (29:01)

Brian (29:17)

Mike (29:36)

Brian (30:13)

Mike (30:28)

Brian (30:30)

Mike (30:59)

Brian (31:42)

Mike (31:56)

Brian (32:15)

Mike (32:23)

In this episode, Brian Milner and Lance Dacy dive into the evolving world of software development, exploring how AI and automation are reshaping the landscape. They discuss the essential skills developers need in this new era, from embracing AI as a tool to mastering emotional intelligence and continuous learning.

Brian and Lance discuss the transformative impact AI and automation are having on the software industry. They explore the importance of adaptability, continuous learning, and cross-functional expertise, emphasizing how developers can thrive by embracing AI as a tool rather than a threat.

The conversation highlights the growing need for soft skills like emotional intelligence, curiosity, and collaborative leadership, and encourages developers to be open to new technologies and ways of working to stay competitive in the ever-evolving tech landscape.

Lance Dacy

This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input.

Brian Milner is SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He's passionate about making a difference in people's day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work.

Lance Dacy is a Certified Scrum Trainer®, Certified Scrum Professional®, Certified ScrumMaster®, and Certified Scrum Product Owner®. Lance brings a great personality and servant's heart to his workshops. He loves seeing people walk away with tangible and practical things they can do with their teams straight away.

Brian (00:00)

Lance Dacy (00:28)

Brian (00:30)

Lance Dacy (01:15)

Brian (03:30)

Lance Dacy (03:34)

Brian (03:59)

Lance Dacy (04:42)

Brian (04:46)

Lance Dacy (05:04)

Brian (05:15)

Lance Dacy (06:02)

Brian (06:10)

Lance Dacy (06:30)

Brian (08:05)

Lance Dacy (08:20)

Brian (09:01)

Lance Dacy (10:17)

Brian (10:27)

Lance Dacy (10:57)

Brian (11:03)

Lance Dacy (11:19)

Brian (12:07)

Lance Dacy (12:21)

Brian (14:22)

Lance Dacy (14:29)

Brian (15:47)

Lance Dacy (15:47)

Brian (18:38)

Lance Dacy (18:51)

Brian (19:07)

Lance Dacy (19:35)

Brian (19:38)

Lance Dacy (20:37)

Brian (21:53)

Lance Dacy (22:01)

Brian (22:17)

Lance Dacy (22:27)

Brian (23:38)

Lance Dacy (23:44)

Brian (23:59)

Lance Dacy (24:10)

Brian (24:27)

Lance Dacy (24:42)

Brian (24:56)

Lance Dacy (25:17)

Brian (25:23)

Lance Dacy (26:08)

Brian (27:12)

Lance Dacy (27:21)

Brian (27:42)

Lance Dacy (28:07)

Brian (28:54)

Lance Dacy (30:39)

Brian (33:59)

Lance Dacy (34:34)

Brian (35:13)

Lance Dacy (35:32)

Brian (35:57)

Lance Dacy (36:04)

Brian (36:07)

Lance Dacy (36:21)

What do lizards have to do with product growth? In this episode, Gojko Adzic reveals how unusual user behaviors can unlock massive opportunities for product innovation. Discover the four steps to mastering "Lizard Optimization" and learn how you can turn strange user actions into game-changing insights.

In this episode of the Agile Mentors Podcast, host Brian Milner chats with Gojko Adzic about his new book, Lizard Optimization. Gojko explains the concept of finding product growth signals in strange user behaviors, sharing examples where unexpected user actions led to product breakthroughs.

He outlines a four-step process for optimizing products by learning, zeroing in, removing obstacles, and double-checking. Gojko also discusses helpful tools like session recorders and observability tools that can enhance product development by uncovering and addressing unique user behaviors.

Gojko Adzic

This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input.

Brian Milner is SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He's passionate about making a difference in people's day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work.

Gojko Adzic is an award-winning software consultant and author, specializing in agile and lean quality improvement, with expertise in impact mapping, agile testing, and behavior-driven development. A frequent speaker at global software conferences, Gojko is also a co-creator of MindMup and Narakeet, and has helped companies worldwide enhance their software delivery, from large financial institutions to innovative startups.

Brian (00:00)

Gojko (00:15)

Brian (00:21)

Gojko (00:21)

Brian (00:47)

Gojko (01:14)

Brian (01:19)

Gojko (01:44)

Brian (02:03)

Gojko (02:11)

Brian (03:48)

Gojko (03:54)

Brian (03:54)

Gojko (04:23)

Brian (07:03)

Gojko (07:18)

Brian (08:47)

Gojko (09:02)

Brian (09:04)

Gojko (09:30)

Brian (09:43)

Gojko (11:03)

Brian (13:14)

Gojko (13:49)

Brian (13:52)

Gojko (14:17)

Brian (14:34)

Gojko (14:44)

Brian (15:45)

Gojko (16:13)

Brian (21:30)

Gojko (22:26)

Brian (24:38)

Gojko (24:48)

Brian (25:03)

Gojko (25:30)

Brian (26:13)

Gojko (26:32)

Brian (28:31)

Gojko (28:49)

Brian (29:31)

Gojko (29:45)

Brian (30:11)

Gojko (30:12)

Brian (30:58)

Gojko (31:07)

Brian (31:38)

Gojko (32:07)

Brian (32:24)

Gojko (32:40)